Monday, 30 March 2015

It’s election time – and that means that (only once in every
five years) the politicians are making us promises.

Once upon a time they used to make ludicrous promises that
were never kept. Nowadays they don’t promise very much at all.

I suppose it’s time to compare what’s on offer.

The first problem is that both Labour and the Tories have
already promised that they are going to cut public debt while at the same time
they have guaranteed that taxes aren’t going to go up.

Obviously that isn’t going to work out; services will have to
be cut.

Basically, someone is going to have to bite the bullet and
increase taxes for those who are best able to afford to pay. Until then we aren’t
going to get anywhere.

So here are the promises.

The Labour Party is committed to;

“An NHS with the time to care”

Certainly, there has been a problem with staff being alienated
and undervalued at the lower end of the pay scales.

The promises?

“We will build an NHS with the time to care: 20,000 more
nurses and 8000 more G.P’s. We will join up services from home to hospital, and
guarantee GP appointments within 48 hours and cancer tests within one week.”

Well, these limited promises are easily affordable: they just
don’t go far enough.

There is a national shortage of GP’s already, we need a
national programme to train new Doctors and we need to ensure that they stay
within the NHS when they qualify.

The ‘walk-in centre’s’ created by the last Labour government
were a runaway success – hated by the profession and (unfortunately) based on
private, profit making suppliers. We need a new tier of large NHS owned polyclinic
walk in centres; local and staffed by Doctors and Nurses, offering a full range
of preventative treatments including chiropody etc.

The increase in Nurses is welcome – most of the Accident and
Emergency problems in Hospitals are caused by a lack of beds on the wards which
means a queue for treatment.

More Nurses = more beds = better outcomes.

The problem is that with shift patterns, training and
sickness; 20,000 more Nurses is only equivalent to about 4000 Nurses working at
any one time.

At 8 beds to one nurse that means about 32000 beds nationally.

Unfortunately, the real cost of beds is much higher – the dirty
work is done by a small army of care assistants and they also cost money too.

We also have a shortage of trained Nurses to deal with.

Cancer tests? We need more screening to bring us up to
European and American survival rates.

My verdict?

It’s OK but it’s not enough – we need a lot more resources
and more ambitious plans; to start with lower level staff have been on a pay
freeze for far too long.

The Conservatives.

So far, the only pledge has been 24 hour hospital treatment
by 2020.

It’s a very clear pledge and an important one – mortality rates
and outcomes get much worse at the weekends when consultants are at home or
treating private patients leaving trainee Doctors are left to fend for
themselves.

Problem?

The Tories aren’t telling us what it would cost, where the
Doctors are coming from and how they are going to pay for it.

The BMA has calculated a cost of £8 Billion – other commentators
believe it will be much more.

We currently have 5 day week working except for Accident and
Emergency; at a simplistic level you can add two sevenths to the wages bill.

Actually, with diagnostics and consumables it would be a lot
more.

And it probably isn’t what we need.

Right now, no one needs their planned operation done at the
weekend. No one needs a routine appointment then either.

This is all about Emergency medicine.

What’s needed is a properly staffed A and E (including
consultants) 7 days a week. We need to take Major Trauma, Stroke and Cardiac
units away from local hospitals and centralise them in regional units large
enough to support 7 day week working at all levels and able to provide all
staff with a proper work life balance.

The London experience has shown that closing stroke units and
centralising them has saved lives and improved outcomes. More skilled,
specialised staff in centralised units creates a collegiate atmosphere with cover
for time off.

Everyone benefits.

A and E’s don’t work if they can’t get the scans or the blood
test done; we need round the clock diagnostics too.

This is a right wing agenda – a simplistic campaign from The
Daily Mail and The Telegraph over the last few years. Broadly it’s unachievable
without massive privatisation and a further damaging NHS reorganisation which
no one needs.

The past record of the parties.

The Conservatives

Over the last 5 years, the Tories increased health spending
but did not keep up with developments in new medicines and treatments, they
froze wages and allowed a general deterioration in services.

The NHS is now running up a deficit of at least £800 million
a year which is unsustainable.

Morale, premises and patient outcomes are all deteriorating.
The NHS is in a worse place than it has been for 20 years.

On the positive side, Jeremy Hunt reacted to health scandals
by improving the investigation and regulation of the medical profession to try
and reduce the problems in future; it looks like it may be working.

Labour.

The 1997/2010 governments inherited an NHS which had been
underfunded and neglected by the previous Tory governments. It was in a dangerous
condition.

It’s fair to say that they threw money at it – they increased
the pay of Doctors dramatically without getting anything in return. The
notorious contracts are still being paid for.

Beds continued to be scrapped, privatisation was brought in
and they left all control and regulation up to the medical profession.

Serious health scandals and patient deaths and mistreatment resulted.

What do I want?

An end to the pay freeze.

An end to privatisation for profit.

A guaranteed, above inflation annual increase in NHS
spending.

Walk in polyclinics within easy reach of all, open 14 hours a
day.

Local A and E’s with 24 hour cover.

Centralised emergency units for Major Trauma, Stroke and
Cardiac treatment.

Early screening for cancers.

Am I going to get any of that?

Eh no.

My backing goes to Labour but we need to pressure them into
some real commitments during the campaign.

Saturday, 28 March 2015

Friday and I went out of the house for the first time in 10
days. That was when I last went to Charing Cross hospital and ended up in agony
afterwards.

I’ve walked to the rubbish bin and when it was sunny I’d
stand at the front door. Oh, I did take photos of narcissi for this Blog.

That hurt.

Today was different.

We left early and drove to Egham so that I could get some
cash. Then, as I was already having problems, Robyn paid my car tax for me.
That was an achievement.

Then I drove up to Hounslow west where I’d normally park for
free and walk over to the Tube to catch a train.

This time I paid a fortune to park (I know, I know, I’m not
well) right by the station.

Then we didn’t get the tube – last time I didn’t cope so well
with the stairs, the crowds or the walking.

We hit the bus. Last time it was quick and fairly smooth with
good seats.….this time we got an irritating driver who kept us waiting so long
before he started that the next bus came along and left before him. That was
the bus we should have caught.

He hit every pothole and whenever he saw someone at a bus
stop he’d accelerate up to it and then slam on the brakes at the last minute.

After about 5 minutes I was in agony.

After half an hour I was screaming.

He also managed to find a mad person to pick a fight with, so
for the first half of the journey I was dreading that he’d call the police and
we’d be stuck at the side of the road for an hour.

Then the walk from Hammersmith to the hospital – I’d had
enough of busses by then.

We made it – just about.

I had my MRI scan, which was fine.

Until it came to getting off the machine which I found was
nearly impossible.

And really, really painful.

The journey home was better – even if I was walking at the
speed of a bored slug. To be honest I felt like a bored slug.

But the traffic was light and our bus sailed back in half the
time.

I managed to drive back and Robyn picked up a Chinese
Takeaway on the way home to celebrate.

It took from 2-30 in the afternoon to 8-30 at night. By about
4-00 I was dreaming of getting home and collapsing in a chair.

World of pain.

So I’m afraid there aren’t any photos this time – it was a tough
day.

Nice to make it through though.

Neil Harris

[since I wrote this I've realised it might be misleading - I don't get the result of the scan for some time]

Thursday, 26 March 2015

I've been a bit depressed recently and to cheer me up Catherine may sent me this, with the message "Live the life you have".She's absolutely right and that was the way I saw things.I have to admit it's been harder to see things that way recently.Neil Harris(a don't stop till you drop production)Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.comContact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

Tuesday, 24 March 2015

You don't know how tough it was to take this picture - today I got dressed for the first time in 6 days. And while I went to the bin just outside the front door yesterday (in my dressing gown) this was the first time I'd been out since last Tuesday.

So, while isn't the best picture in the world (it hurt, I can tell you) it's my first taste of spring.

They are Tete á Tete narcissi. they get their name because their heads nod together in the wind, as though they are talking.

And today I got the date of my MRI scan - Friday. No idea how I'm going to make that.....but I will. Dr Feelgood got me that really quick.

The sad thing is that Art Themen, just about the best modern jazz saxophonist we have, is making a rare visit to my Jazz club and I had to miss it. Last week was just too painful.

It's sad because always used to celebrate my survival by making it in to see him.

Grrrrrrrrh!

I've got lot's of battles ahead of me - I have to pick my fights carefully.

Monday, 23 March 2015

I’m not sure where the last three days went – certainly nothing
happened.

The first thing that didn’t happen was the solar eclipse – we
were up and waiting with a pinhole camera ready. I don’t know how I’d have got
outside to see it but I would have made it somehow.

It never happened for us – complete cloud cover. We saw it go
dark but as it was a dreary cloudy day it wasn’t as dramatic as it would have
been if it was a sunny day.

Then it got light again.

Yawn!

It was a lot better in 1999. At least Robyn will get a chance
to see one in a few years time.

Second; my Blog didn’t happen. I’d run out of data on my
dongle and I can’t get out of doors now; Robyn managed to top it up today.
Meanwhile we’re trying to work out some broadband. Not so simple, I can tell
you.

Third? I didn’t happen.

Since Tuesday I’ve been stuck in an armchair unable to get
about. It’s hard getting used to being an invalid when spring is finally happening.

It’s been a long hard winter and I could do with some sunshine
on my face.

Friday, 20 March 2015

I’ve just had a bust up with The Joe Strummer Foundation for
New Music and it’s been quite upsetting.

If you go on their Facebook page you can check out all the
arguments, including mine. It’s connected with the page advertising their gala
fundraising night at Canary Wharf last night.

I’m not a fan of charity – most things should be done by the
State with the money coming from those most able to pay through their taxes.

The problem with charity is that it’s usually those with the
least money who contribute most.

However, I supported Strummerville and intended to do more;
they provide seed money to organisations that support youngsters getting into
music, usually when they are in difficult situations or places. Some of the
bands reviewed on my Blog have been financed this way.

It was also to commemorate the astonishing life and times of
Joe Strummer of The Clash; a dyed in the wool punkrocker who was carried to his
rest on the back of a fire engine after playing his last concert as a benefit
for striking firefighters.

How inappropriate is this, then;

Date: 19/03/2015 Time: 6:30 pm - 2:00 am

Address: Cabot Place, London, United Kingdom

Spring Dinner in aid of The Joe Strummer Foundation

We are very pleased to announce a fundraising Gala Spring
Dinner at the prestigious Boisdale of Canary Wharf. This is a high-ticket event
and we know that some people will be out-priced to attend the event but the
objective of this Gala Dinner to raise much needed funds for the Joe Strummer
Foundation – we’ll be posting the auction items soon, and you can help us by
spreading the word and sharing this post, thank you!

Alongside great performances from MIKE D’ABO singing Handbags
and Gladrags and after dinner JOOLS HOLLAND & HIS BOOGIE WOOGIE SHOW with
Axel Zwingenberger and Ben Waters the highlight of evening will be The Great
Rock’n’Roll Memorabilia Auction and after the auction as a special treat there
will be guest star appearances from MICK JONES • SUGGS • CHRISSIE HYNDE

If I’d been well enough and rich enough to go, you wouldn’t
have been seen me dead there.

Don’t get me wrong – it is a tragedy perpetrated by nice
people. Their argument is that to do the good work the charity wants to do
costs money. They say this is the best way of raising the money quickly enough.

The background to all this is that about 18 months ago the
charity foolishly put on a very expensive new three day festival in the midst
of a very fully booked summer season. It lost a packet of money when it should
have been raising funds.

The end result is that the name ‘Strummerville’ disappeared
to be replaced by ‘The Joe Strummer Foundation for New Music’, with a whole new
set of trustees as well.

More worryingly, the foundation was stripped of its
charitable status in January 2014, for failing to file its accounts in time. I
don’t think that’s much of a problem; as long as they get them filed soon
enough they will be reinstated. It is, however, a sign that not everything is
going well.

So the Champagne fuelled party at Canary Wharf is meant to
sort out all the charity’s financial woes.

The problem is that in doing so (rather like the £250
tickets) it has sold out.

It sold out the memory of Joe Strummer.

A lovely man and a rebel from the top of his head to the
soles of his cowboy boots. All us old dead punks can give countless examples of
his generosity to those who needed it and his uncompromising hatred of those
who didn’t.

The Event last night?

A load of Balls – another charity ball for the rich and
famous to feel smug about.

Just another date on the social calendar of wealthy party
goers, aristocratic wastrels, the celebrity circuit and a few right bankers
too.

I wasn’t there and they wouldn’t have let me in anyway.

And while I’m at it: What the F#%K is Piper-Heidsieck Rare
Millésime 2002 anyway?

Joe Strummer;

“Oh no, you think it’s funny

Turnin’ rebellion into money”

White man in the Hammersmith Palais. It's not what he or any of us stood for.

Thursday, 19 March 2015

Tuesday and I had to struggle in to Charing Cross Hospital to see Dr Feelgood. This is a new piece of art from the entrance hall. Unfortunately, I couldn't get any details of the piece; I was in a lot of pain.And I mean a lot of pain.There was good and bad news.The bad news is that for 4 months I've had a collapsed vertebrae, which explains why I've been in such pain. It's nice to know that I haven't gotten soft in my old age. I'm going to need an operation.The good news is that the scan from January shows that my tumours have retreated, which is why my vertabrae collapsed.I'm not cured or anything like that.I'm not better. In fact the figures look like it's getting worse again.So let's not get carried away but I'm not going anywhere just yet. Which in my world of bad news is good news.The problem is that my back is becoming really serious. If I need an operation soon (I do, it's just whether they give me one) this Blog may go quiet for a while.If that happens, don't give up on me - I'll make it back!Neil Harris(a don't stop till you drop production)Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.comContact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.comOh by the way....I've just done a bit of gloating on my seriously boring Blog - Bart's Health Trust has just been placed in 'Special Measures' due to problems at that group of hospitals. it's something I highlighted TWO years ago; have look.helpmesortoutthenhs.blogspot.com

Wednesday, 18 March 2015

Monday night saw us back at our Jazz Club for an all-star evening; 'Standard Miles'. I'd been looking forward to it for some time.It's a quintet that appears at venues like Ronnie Scott's or the summer festivals to play the standards that were part of Miles Davies's concert's in the late 1950's/early 1960's.

They aren't pretending top be Miles - how could you? It's just a glorious recreation of Modern Jazz in the second and probably last golden period.In these pictures you can see Dave Green on Bass. Somewhere in the background is Trevor Tomkins on Drums while John Critchinson plays piano.John Horler, here playing muted trumpet beautifully, told us a story about meeting Miles Davies while he was touring in Los Angeles. Mind you, John Critchinson played with Ronnie Scott for many years - he probably has a tale or two of his own to tell.

As the evening went on I found it harder and harder to sit on the pub's stool - my back was agony and I had to get up and stand at the front (the only space left) getting in everybody's way.

Tuesday, 17 March 2015

After this awful week that was really nice - you took the Blog over 33,000! It's a struggle when you can't get about and fill up the pages with exciting things.Last night though, we caught some great Jazz - stick around.Things may get better.Thanks again.Neil Harris(a don't stop till you drop production)Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.comContact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

Monday, 16 March 2015

That's pretty much how I feel ....flying on a 'wing and a prayer' as they used to say.

Saturday night I was up all night with muscle spasms and out of it all day Sunday as a result.

Last night? I slept in a chair - works much better.

Robyn's ill too - it's the massive stress we are both under.

I'm hoping to get everything back to normal although tomorrow morning at hospital means an unbelievable journey; driving, walking, Tube, walking. All at a time when I'm having problems putting my shoes on.

The results
from a recent Care Quality Commission report for Ashford and St

Peter's
Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have been released.

A team of
42 inspectors rated the trust as 'Good' overall.

It
highlighted its effective, responsive, caring and well-led approach to patients.

However, it
was rated as 'Requires Improvement' for being safe.

For each
individual hospital, Ashford Hospital was rated 'Good', while St

Peter's
Hospital in Chertsey was rated as 'Requires Improvement.'

The trust
was inspected under a new, more rigorous regime by the CQC.

It found
its new senior leadership team promoted good quality care, and its staff were
kind compassionate and caring in the accident and emergency department.

It also
witnessed safety and quality of services were a priority for the trust, which
was reflected by staff at every level.

The Surrey
trust had a strong reporting culture and was keen to share learning from
incidents.

But the
inspection also found the biggest single safety issue was the impact of staff
shortages and the difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff.

While the
trust used agency, locums and bank staff to help deal with the shortfalls, safe
staffing levels were not being consistently met.

Staff
indicated to inspectors that the issue with staffing levels was putting them
under extra stress and some staff were leaving because of this.

Inspectors
identified a number of areas of outstanding practice across the trust:

The trust
had developed an older people's assessment and liaison team which enhanced the
care of the frail, elderly patients. The specialist team's care had managed to
decrease the number of admissions to specialty wards, and also contributed to
fewer patients being readmitted.

The
electronic patient record system in the intensive care unit was outstanding.
Patients benefitted fromcomprehensive,
detailed records in one place, where all staff could gain access and update
them at all times.

The trauma
and orthopaedic unit had set up an early discharge team to reduce the length of
stay for patients with hip fractures. Patients had continuity of care from the
hospital in to their own home as they had the same staff. This reduced their
length of stay in hospital.

There was
good joint working between the bereavement services, chaplaincy services and
the mortuary services to ensure as little distress as possible to bereaved
relatives, with caring staff throughout the hospital who were seen to treat
patients at the end of their lives and their relatives with dignity and respect.

The trust
has been told that it must make improvements in nine areas including:

The trust
must ensure that medicines were stored at temperatures that provide effective
treatment.

All trained
paediatric nurses must be up to date with medicines management training.

Patients'
records must be kept securely and located promptly when required.

All
departments must have sufficient numbers of suitably qualified, skilled and
experienced nursing staff on the units and the outreach team to safeguard the
health, safety and welfare of patients at all times.

In the
critical care department, there must be a full range of safety, quality and
performance data collected, evaluated and reported. The trust must ensure it
has sight of this data at board level.

CQC's Chief
Inspector of Hospitals, Professor Sir Mike Richards, said: "I am pleased
to report that when we inspected the hospitals run by Ashford and St Peters
Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, much of what we saw was good.

"It
was clear that staff took great pride in their work, and that they felt the leadership
team were approachable.

"Teams
communicated well with each other, and we saw some good examples of collaborative
working to improve the treatment and care people received.

"We,
also found areas where the trust needs to make improvements - in particular the
retention and recruitment of staff in a number of clinical departments.

"While
the trust appears to be maintaining its upward trajectory - it still needs to
ensure that people using its services receive good quality treatment and care
at all times.

"People
are entitled to receive treatment and care in services which are consistently
safe, effective, caring and responsive to their needs.

"The
trust has told us they have listened to our inspectors' findings and begun to
take action where it is required.

"We
will return in due course to check that the improvements needed have been made."